I don't want to throw cold water, so to speak (write?) on your dream but there's usually a reason that something like a private jet, a Ferrari or an island is within financial reach of someone of less-then-royal means.

For the private jet or the Ferrari I'd say they were probably stolen if I could afford them. About an island I'd have too guess that it's a buyer's market that sets the price within reach.

After spending a while on Google Maps I think I located the island with a bit more precision then allowed by the postage-stamp sized map on the web page.

My first objection is that it's off the southern tip of Nova Scotia an area that's been described as having two seasons: Fog and Mosquito. My next objection is that the island's off the southern tip of Nova Scotia and that's, oh, how shall I put this?, unfriendly to boats and other floating things?

If you zoom out you'll see a lot of green area extending fairly far south - looks to be about twenty miles south before the water's blue again. I can't find a map of soundings of the area but it is exposed to the Atlantic from about 160 degrees to about 290? Shoal water and blue water exposure doesn't sound like an attractive combination to me especially when you consider that you'll have to get there by boat - small boat - or helicopter.

The island looks to be only about half a mile from the mainland but the Google map doesn't reveal any roads that come down to the water nearby so you'd probably have to put in some distance away if you were trailering or rent a boat at Clark's Harbor to the south or Yarmouth to the northwest. In either of those cases you'd have a two or three hours run, minimum, over water that I'd want some local knowledge of before attempting to traverse.

I'd suggest getting some local knowledge before even committing to a look-see. Call the local library, Coast Guard, boat/yacht club, marine supply houses, insurance agents, etc. The scrubby, low nature of the few trees visible in the photos suggests that the island is exposed to strong winds enough of the year to stunt tree growth.

Near Sheet Harbor, it looks a little less isolated and a little more accessible although I can't see any access roads on Google Maps but the resolution is lousy. There's some pretty good tourist sites on the internet. The Destination Nova Scotia site is pretty good but doesn't give the name of the lake which is only two or three miles from Sheet Harbour. Still, this island looks more accessible and less dangerous then the other one. Closer to something approximating civilization as well.

You can buy that one. When you've got the Conservative Palace finished drop us a line. My wife and I are excellent guests.

Allen: not that I'm seriously considering buying such islands, but even if I were, after the purchase I'd have no money left to build a palace! Heck, I wouldn't have any money left to buy the canoe to get me to the island!

And anonymous: no, I'm looking for a place to displace President Clinton to should she ever take office :-) We can think of it as Elba--and if that doesn't work, we'll try St. Helena.

I'd prefer you pick an island with deep water mooring facilities. That would, of course, include electircal and water hook-ups and perhaps a swim up bar. When I motor over to visit I don't want to be roughing it! We're off to anchor at one of our favorite islands in the Bay, Angel Island for the weekend. By the way, I'm still planning the Alaska cruise.